Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”

Agatha Christie’s debut novel “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” is a murder mystery that introduces fictional detective Hercule Poirot, her very own Sherlock Holmes. A wealthy lady gets murdered in her manor at Styles and all evidence points to her husband Alfred. Was the murder premeditated or crime of passion? When there are more suspects within the household who could benefit out of the demise of Emily, was Albert the real murderer? 

The novel starts off as a template cozy murder mystery until Hercules Poirot arrives at the scene to investigate. The novel stands out in Agatha Christie’s brilliant staging of the crime scene and her intricate detailing of the evidence discovered at the crime scene. With the suspicion shifting from one member to another in the household, the novel develops into a slow burn whodunit with time, setting and atmosphere playing a pivotal role in finding the murderer. 

The detailing in the novel demands a close follow up of the happenings which might be confusing at times. But, the author makes an attempt to revisit and comprehend the ongoing investigation then and there, so that the readers don’t lose track. Though the novel progresses at a measured pace, there is enough drama to keep the readers engrossed.

A slow burn whodunit that stands out for the staging of the crime scene and the ensuing investigation! Highly recommended!

Agatha Christie’s “The Murder on the links”

Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s very own Sherlock Holmes reappears in this complex whodunit which is twisted, smart and compelling. 

Poirot receives a letter from a wealthy businessman Monsieur Renauld summoning him to France to help him from an impending danger. Poirot arrives at France only to learn that his arrival is late and Renauld has already been murdered. His wife, his rumoured mistress and her young daughter, his son, an unknown lady who met with him on the day of the murder and a tramp are in the list of suspects and Poirot is presented with innumerable possibilities, and to top that he is pitted against a younger and equally competent detective. 

Despite the twisted storyline and the overwhelming list of characters, the novel keeps us guessing until the very end and at no point it gives us the feel that we have it all figured out. The psychological angle to the murder investigation that Agatha Christie brings in every Poirot novel is a delight to read. 

Readers might need to closely follow up on the characters, their relations with each other and to the victim and the information they reveal in the interrogations. Yet, this is a smartly written murder mystery that never loses its steam.